From the cold Bergen, the Norwegian dark metallers Aeternus are back since their last album “Hexaeon” in 2006. Ares, the only member remaining from the original line-up is happy to answer our questions about the new album, the band and his experience of being a member of Gorgoroth and Immortal.
Rock Overdose: So Ares, introduce yourself please!
Ares: Hello, I am Ares, founder of Aeternus in 1993. I play the guitar and I sing also in the band.
Rock Overdose: Having 6 full-length albums, and with Hexaeon getting many good reviews, you 're heading for the 7th album. Tell us a few words about it.
Ares: Yes, well what to say...or where to start. I could spend hours talking about this, but I shall try and make it short. It's taken a long time to make music for this album, but we are now these days producing it, finally. Different events have slowed down the composing of this album so it's been years since "Hexaeon". However it all finally came loose and I could make music again and then it went faster. One main thing was that my first drummer, Erik, quit after doing "Hexaeon" and then I had problems making good music or make anything at all. Took a long time for me to find the spark to keep going for a purpose you know?! ...and with Phobos (Drummer) coming into the band, we spent a lot of time just rehearsing besides making songs.
Now, with our 7th album we have managed to pass "Hexaeon" and enter new areas of extreme music that still holds what is to Aeternus' music, Dark Metal. This has been a long and challenging process. However, we're there and the drums have been recorded and we are in the process of recording the guitars these days. This new album will totally be a hard blast and a joy for those who appreciate everything we do. All aspects have been covered and new grounds revealed. Most interesting is of course Phobos' drumming, after 6 albums with Erik, Phobos is now at the helm of the drums and it's amazing what he has done with our songs. His drumming is most suited our style and he has broken many barriers I think to get to the stage he is at now.
Another interesting thing of course is our new guitarist, Specter that has fantastic leads for some songs/parts that just kicks ass. He has also contributed in the song writing process here and there in ways no other member of Aeternus ever has. A truly great guy to have by my side as Aeternus' 2nd guitarist!
So, with the new members and the long years of time & efforts plus real hard work and by taking our time it's safe to say: We got one hell of a fucking album coming up!
Rock Overdose: Your drummer, Phobos, is Greek. Are you satisfied with him since 2007, when he joined the band?
Ares: He's actually half Greek. Yes he has given the band a lot and he has work VERY hard getting there. I don't know how much weight he himself has put into weighing his own style up against our old drummer’s style and technique, but surely as we all know: Erik was and still is one of the better and thorough drummers in the Norwegian Metal scene (In my opinion) and I know Phobos thinks the same. He knew what place he was taking, to put it that way. Erik quit after 13 years in the band...for personal reasons and views he had on extreme music at the time, not cuz he wasn't handling anything on the drums. He had just finished producing one hell of an album together with me and Vgandr. So one has to understand the big responsibility he had saying yes to take the job. He also has that same mentality that Erik has...going for the utter most best drumming, interesting drumming, thorough and solid, precise and powerful. ...And not at least showing off his own unique style. He sometimes reminds me a lot of Erik actually and others have said the same.
You'll hear on our new album that Phobos surely has what it takes to handle the drums in Aeternus.
Rock Overdose: You used to play at Immortal and Gorgoroth. Could you tell me which period you were with them and how was being a member of them?
Ares: Well I was with Gorgoroth on bass from late 1995 to 1997, about 2 years. It was great fun of course to be a part of Gorgoroth. I didn't make music for them, but we had 2 awesome tours and some shows that gave me a lot. I did bass on 4 songs in studio I believe for Gorgoroth. I quit in late 1997 to concentrate on Aeternus and I kinda lost the fire playing bass for them!
Immortal wanted to hire me for a tour in 1998 and I said of course yes and that's pretty much it! A fantastic experience and tour of course. They asked me if I wanted to continue, but I feared it would affect Aeternus badly so I turned that down. Some regrets later of course, but I found myself mostly believing that I did what was right for what I had created for my own musical life style: Aeternus.
Rock Overdose: "And the Seventh His soul detesteth". How did you came up with the title and what shall we expect from the new album?
Ares: Our X-bass player, Vgandr (Helheim, Taake) came up with that title. It's also a song that he wrote the text to (as did he with all our songs, all lyrics are by him). A pretty anti religious song if I recall correctly and the title also of course fits the release as it's our 7th.
Expect Dark Metal. Power, melodies, speed, heavy riffs and brutal vocals, as always!
Rock Overdose: You have signed with Hammerheart Records, and Hexaeon was released by Karisma Records. Now, you are in Dark Essence Records. Do you think the last one can offer more on your new album?
Ares: Time will tell, hehe. We believe in our record company believing in us and that they will do their thing as we do ours, of course!
Rock Overdose: Would you like to send a message to your Greek fans?
Ares: Greeks and any other fan: Thanks for all and any support throughout the years.
Rock Overdose: Is Greece your destination in your future plans?
Ares: Yes, we shall focus at one point to try and come play for you guys for sure! We really want to play in Greece and we know many would appreciate that as we would.
Rock Overdose: How would you like to close this conversation?
Ares: Await the new album from Aeternus late 2012 or early 2013.
"And the Seventh his Soul Detesteth", a new era has begun!
For RockOverdose: Labrini Gouma
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